2 day/1 night Rwanda Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla tracking in Rwanda is done in the Volcanoes National Park that is situated in the north of the country, which is only 2 hours of drive from Kigali City on a good paved road. This 2 day gorilla tour in Rwanda is therefore suitable for travelers with only a couple of days to spare in Rwanda such as the business travelers. But also, the easy access to Volcanoes National Park from Kigali City and the airport makes it easy to include a short Rwanda gorilla tour into your big African safari vacation.
DAY ONE
Today you shall be picked up from Kigali at 8am and depart for Musanze in the north of Rwanda. The journey from Kigali to Musanze/Volcanoes National Park is approx. 2 hours of driving, and it is a scenic trip as you will enjoy the dramatic landscape of lush rolling hills – you will see why Rwanda is called the land of a thousand hills. You will check into your room and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Mountain Gorilla View
Optional tour activities:
- Go on a 3 – 4 hour (half day) canoe trip on River Mukungwa (with Kingfisher Journeys) which is a perfect way of exploring the lush countryside near the Virungas and get an insight into the life of the local people in the countryside. For the keen birder there are lots of birds to record as you ride along the river.
- Visit the twin lakes (Burera and Ruhondo) which are located in the foothills of the Virunga Mountains and do a 1 hour boat ride on the lake Burera and enjoy the stunning scenery of the lush rolling hills with the backdrop of the Virunga Mountains.
- Do cultural tour to the Gorilla Guardians Village to see the presentations of several Rwandan cultural and traditional practices including a traditional dance performance.
DAY TWO
After early breakfast, you will transfer to the park office in Kinigi by 7am. Meet the park guides for the allocation of the gorilla groups. There are 12 habituated Gorilla groups available for the tracking adventure and no more than 8 people can be allocated for each gorilla group. The park guides shall brief you about the gorilla trekking etiquette and thereafter you shall drive to the park boundary where you start trekking into the jungle to find the gorillas. The time taken to find the gorillas is 2 to 3 hours, but can take less or more depending how the gorillas move while feeding. You will hike along relatively steep forested mountain which can be challenging if not fit. There are porters that will be found at the park boundary for hire at $10 each and these can carry your backpack and may provide a push or pull if you meet a challenged spot. When you find the gorillas you will be allowed only 1 hour to watch them and follow them, after which you shall climb back to meet your driver and transfer to the lodge to refresh, check out and drive back to Kigali.
Overnight at Chimpundu Lodge/Kibale Forest Camp/Primate Lodge
EXPERT TIPS:
- Wear long trousers and a long sleeved shirt over the top of a t-shirt.
- Strong, 'worn-in' hiking boots with long socks into which you tuck in your trousers.
- Day bag with waterproofs, 2-3 liters of water and your packed lunch.
- Gardening gloves can prove useful to protect your hands from thorns and stinging nettles.
- Secure the services of a porter to carry your day bag and help you with the terrain.